Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS)
What is IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a common chronic disorder that affects the large intestine, causing dysfunction in bowel movements.
What are the symptoms of IBS?
Symptoms of IBS are varied and can include:
-
Cramping
-
Abdominal pain
-
Bloating and gas
-
Constipation
-
Diarrhea
-
Mucus in the stool
People with IBS have times when their symptoms are more severe and times when they improve or resolve completely for a period of time.
How is IBS diagnosed?
There is no medical test for IBS making the diagnosis challenging, as all blood test, imaging studies, and biopsies are normal. The diagnosis is made based on your symptoms and by ruling out other possible bowel diseases. To do this your surgeon or family physician may
-
Have you adopt a certain diet or remove certain foods in your diet to rule out food allergies
-
Send a stool sample to rule out infection
-
Perform blood tests to check for anemia or celiac disease
-
Perform a colonoscopy to rule out colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer
How is IBS treated?
There is no cure for IBS. Your physician will recommend lifestyle modifications to assist in symptom relief. These can include:
-
Getting regular physical exercise
-
Limiting caffeinated beverages
-
Eating smaller meals
-
Minimizing stress
-
Taking a probiotic
-
Starting a food journal to identify “trigger” foods
-
Adopting a low FODMAP diet. This diet has been shown to help many people with IBS
Although IBS cannot be cured, it also does not cause changes in bowel tissue or increase your risk of colorectal cancer.
Attached is a printable handout about starting a low FODMAP diet.